Rangers, under Steven Gerrard, made an encouraging inception of their new campaign with wins in Europa League qualifiers and the gaffer is slowly integrating all of his new signings into the first-team before entering the season in full throttle. The former Liverpool and England midfield icon, meanwhile, is eyeing a left-footed centre-back and must step up his interest in Curtis Tilt, a Rangers target, at the earliest before the Blackpool star on the verge of an exit, moves elsewhere amidst advanced talks with Ipswich Town.
Tilt, 26, flourished through non-league football before being wrapped up from Wrexham last summer and was handed a starting role by manager Gary Bowyer in The Tangerines central defence alongside Clark Robertson.
He only missed a couple of League One outings through suspension and now is set to make strides in Championship football with the Suffolk club. Ipswich saw a couple of bids rejected for the Blackpool star and although an offer of around £1m is being prepared at Portman Road, Gerrard must make one last-ditch effort to hijack the deal in the 11th hour.
The Scouse legend is enjoying his maiden managerial challenge in senior football and addressed the concerns regarding the Gers defensive conundrum. He, however, is lining up Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic – a newly recruited central defensive duo who are yet to concede this season, ensuring three back-to-back clean sheets.
However, they need a proper defensive cover following the departure of David Bates and veteran Bruno Alves whereas Fábio Cardoso, the signing of dismissed Pedro Caixinha is not in Gerrard’s plans either after losing 0ut his place under Graeme Murty midway through the previous term.
The new Ibrox chief wants variation in the backline and a left-sided centre-half has been his priority for quite some time. An effort to sign defender Jake Cooper was blocked by Millwall and he himself pulled the plug on a deal for Manchester City youngster Kean Bryan despite completion of his medical and terms being agreed.
Tilt, too, was on Rangers’ radar but they did not exhibit enough intent to chase the Blackpool defender. Gerrard must be planning for a more renowned individual in that role and is not done yet in the market despite sanctioning 10 new signings already. There is still time left in the window and although the gaffer is tipped to rope in someone who ticks his requirements, the Light Blues should not give up on Curtis Tilt as long as there is a possibility of acquiring such an impressive defensive resource.
